The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1887-04-08
EDUCATED WOMEN As MOTHERS.

That there will be able women in the fu-
ture, is unquestionable; but will there be
any mothers? Much as we need strength
of character in woman, can We afford to
dispense with those greatest of feminine
charms, tenderness and self-forgetful-
ness -
Thus saith an exchange.
Why should not able women become
mothers, tender elf-sacrificing more
so because of their intelligence?
Aside from the fact that the woman
whose mental faculties have been educated
-exercised-will give to her child high
er mental organization, is the self-eyident
one that She will so train and educate it,
ciety
Where do we find tenderness but in
great hearts ? Where do we look for, and
find, fixed principles, unbiased judgment,
unfaltering devotion. bat in thoughtful,
educated, cultured men and women?
Who is more untender, utterly selfish.
than the ignorant, shallow minded wo-
man? Such one has no moral sense.
Because of her cowardice, she will be
weak, vain, helpless, she dare not face the
consequences, be they never so slight, Of
her most palpabe fault, most transparent
follies. Is it unto such us these, Oh We
wise men, that you would entrust the hap
piness and well-being of your helpless little
ones ? Are such women ''tender and self
forgetful?'' And if so. is this all that is
needed in a mother? Surprising she is
only weak aud incompetent, what then ,
Where is the wise, well-regulated mind
the perfectly formed character, the firm
yet loving hand, that is needed TO guide
the little feet and hearts Alright? Who
that knows anything Of children does not
know how grave and difficult to solve is
the problem of theii bringing mp.
81 cannot do anything with that child;
she has her fathers stubborn disposition. :.
My dear madam. 1t is not only his dis
position, but her fathers brains which
that child has inherited. She loves you,
but with her affection is mingled a keen
sense of your weakness. your utter inabil-
ity to cope with, and conquer her. 1t is to
her father that she looks for sympathy,
eompanionship, geniality of taste and
feeling. She loves YOU, but always will
she, just little, despise you. Be that
father so wise and tender, how can the
oI,;1d n fTord RI d;c,aneo ,,-,tl, 4Ia ,,a,iar.e
influence? How can She hope to escape a
perverse, unhappy womanhood
All. the pity of it that such things
should be. The blindness of men that
they should encourage women to be such
helpless, incapable beings, such pitiable
ignoramuses.
knowledge is power. Give unto woman
the ability to understand strength of
mind and purpose which enable her to en-
dure unfinchingly whatever yieissitudes
may fall to her lot, and you secure unto
yourselves the most faithful of friends. the
most adoring of wives.
THE heart of her husband doeth safely
trust her; and her children shall rise up
and call her blessed.
There is still another side to This ques-
ton. 1t has been decided by nvention
of physicians that educated women, grad
yates of colleges, have not only the most
brainy, but the most healthy children,
children of finer physique and greater
powers of endurance. There are reasons
good and sufficient for this. To begin
with, girls who are at school, cultiyating
whatever brains and thinking faculties
they may be fortunate enough to posse IS.
are not likely to commit thai greatest of
all mistakes, too early marriage, What
girl in her teens is morally, or physically
fitted for the cares and responsibilities of
maternity? These things age, experience,
educatlon alone can supply.
Look to it, fathers, that you educate, in
struct your daughters. Look to it, young
men, in selecting wives; make sure that
they are cultivated, thoroughly developed,
women. The woman who understands
herself will understand you; she who an
derstands you, will understand your child
seek out its virtues and encou rage them;
its evil tendencies, be they great or
small, and modify, if not wholly eradicate
them
What a contrast such wife and mother
presents to the poor, helpless waits of hui
manity. who are being constantly thrust
into the unknown seas of matrimony and
maternity, without the rudder which
strength of character supplies, or the bal
last to be found in education.
MIR. BEECHER-s RELIGIOUS BELIEF.
The sermon on evolution preached by